Marshall voters to once again consider 1-mill sinking fund for school improvements

MARSHALL — Marshall Public Schools is once again asking voters to consider a sinking fund millage for facility repairs and maintenance, among other district improvements.

The 1-mill proposal would generate roughly $875,000 annually for the district through 2031. The proposal was rejected by 54% of voters in the November 2022 election.

The district's current sinking fund levy expires Dec. 31. The owner of a home with a taxable value of $50,000 (market value $100,000) would pay 56 cents more per year — for a total of $50 annually — if the millage is approved next month.

"Through this sinking fund proposal on the May 2 ballot, we are asking voters to bring the district back up to the 1-mill levy — it’s currently .9888 — and to expand the use of funds to not only building maintenance, repairs and upkeep, but also technology and security (upgrades)," Amanda Lankerd, president of the MPS Board of Education, explained Monday.

The Michigan Legislature passed a bill in 2016 that allows districts to use sinking fund millages for technology and security upgrades, in addition to building repairs and renovations. Sinking funds cannot be used to cover things like teacher salaries, benefits or classroom supplies.

"Without the sinking fund dollars, our facility repairs and maintenance costs would need to be taken from the general fund, which would affect the classroom directly," Marshall Superintendent Becky Jones has previously said.

Voters previously approved 1-mill sinking funds for the district in May of 2006, May of 2011 and May of 2016.

For more information, visit marshallpublicschools.org/district/sinking-fund.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Marshall Public Schools places 1-mill sinking fund on May 2 ballot